Nurse Anesthetist Salary in West Virginia: $284,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $284,165/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $328,514 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charleston ($280,250), Morgantown ($278,530), Huntington ($264,420).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in West Virginia is projected at $284,165, which is significantly above the national median of $248,893, reflecting a 14.2% increase. The highest salaries can be found in Charleston, reaching $294,823, while the lowest in Clarksburg stand at $199,679, showcasing a salary gap of $95,144. This difference is mainly influenced by local demand for healthcare services, the cost of living, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas versus rural regions. West Virginia has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that must be navigated by nurse anesthetists, including the need for a master's degree and national certification. As the demand for healthcare continues to rise, particularly in surgical settings, the job market shows a healthy growth rate of 5.20% annually. The total employment of nurse anesthetists stands at 647, with key cities like Morgantown ($293,014), Huntington ($278,170), Parkersburg ($208,724), and South Charleston ($206,235) also offering competitive salaries. The combination of varying salaries across regions and a growing need for anesthetic services underpins a robust job outlook for the profession in West Virginia.
West Virginia Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $134,921 (lowest entry-level) to $400,118 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia nurse anesthetists earn 14.17% more than the national median (+$35,272/year difference).
West Virginia Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in West Virginia range from $210,605 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $346,272 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $284,165. The West Virginia median is $35,272 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $136.62/hr. Approximately 647 nurse anesthetists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$193,599
2025 BLS Actual
$270,119
2026 Current Est.
$284,165
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $193,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $188,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $206,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $226,489 | Actual |
| 2024 | $226,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $270,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $284,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $298,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 39.5% from $193,599 (2019) to $270,119 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $298,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $105,343 (54.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clarksburg | $199,679 |
| Fairmont | $200,343 |
| Beckley | $200,569 |
| Martinsburg | $203,369 |
| Weirton | $204,018 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $294,823 | 88.717 | $332,318 |
| Huntington | $278,170 | 88.422 | $314,594 |
| Morgantown | $293,014 | 93.323 | $313,978 |
| Parkersburg | $208,724 | 86.5 | $241,299 |
| South Charleston | $206,235 | 86.5 | $238,422 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $210,605 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $284,165 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $346,272 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $294,823 |
| 2 | Morgantown | $293,014 |
| 3 | Huntington | $278,170 |
| 4 | Parkersburg | $208,724 |
| 5 | South Charleston | $206,235 |
| 6 | Wheeling | $205,082 |
| 7 | Weirton | $204,018 |
| 8 | Martinsburg | $203,369 |
| 9 | Beckley | $200,569 |
| 10 | Fairmont | $200,343 |
| 11 | Clarksburg | $199,679 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in West Virginia in 2026?
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How does West Virginia nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in West Virginia?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in West Virginia?
Which West Virginia city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov